Gossip: Arsenal make 'shock' Bale move, Chelsea could lose 'contract rebel' to Juventus and more

Nothing is going to stop Arsenal basking in the glow of their north London derby success this week. Let’s pretend last night’s defeat in Cologne didn’t happen – Mathieu Debuchy started the match so it’s not like anyone was ever taking it seriously – and just imagine that the 2-0 v Spurs is still their most recent outing.

Then take that glorious momentum, add a dollop of transfer market spunk, and what are you left with? Gareth Bale at the Emirates!

The Mirror – via Spanish sociopaths Don Balon – claims the Gunners have made a “shock move” to sign the Welshman from Real Madrid.

And it would be a shock on many levels. Firstly, because Gareth’s old friends at Tottenham would be rather upset about it. Secondly, because Bale – if he goes anywhere – is expected to join Manchester United. And thirdly, because Arsenal are still not very good at football really.

But this is not a normal week. The Gunners are north London’s top dogs (albeit not in league position) and it’s a time to dream that anything is possible (until Sunday’s inevitable narrow defeat by Burnley at Turf Moor).

Ozil wants £330k a week to join Barca

Mesut Ozil is also evidently still buzzing about his own excellent performance against Spurs last weekend – so much so that he is not giving up on that move to Barcelona.

Not only is he not giving up on it; he is positively laying down the law to the La Liga giants, with AS claiming the German has demanded a £330,000-a-week salary to move to the Nou Camp. Take it or leave it, you Catalan punks. If you want the Mezmeister, those are his terms.

Juve bosses apparently “have doubts” about their back-up goalie Wojciech Szczesny, and they aren’t the only ones.

Elsewhere, Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to “go to war” to sign Athletic Bilbao defender – and Manchester City target – Aymeric Laporte in the January transfer window (Express), Crystal Palace and West Ham will compete to sign Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter (Mirror) and Man City defender Eliaquim Mangala has admitted that he may leave the Etihad in January (Sun). News that could be a huge blow to the club’s title hopes.